Skip to content
Appliances Laundry

Kenmore Dryer

by Kenmore

100
Exceptional consensus

24 endorsements on r/BuyItForLife first recommended in Jan 2025

Older-generation Kenmore electric clothes dryer with a top-access lint trap and simple mechanical controls.

Added Jul 5, 2026, Updated Jul 6, 2026

Why it's buy-it-for-life

Owners describe running the same Kenmore dryer for years, with occasional failures fixed at home using a $3 part and about 45 minutes of work, thanks to a simple design with little to go wrong. 1970s-era 'Lady Kenmore' units are reported still running after 50+ years, sometimes with only occasional part swaps.

What redditors say

Recommended on reddit as recently as March 2026

  1. 1,299
    r/BuyItForLife post

    1974 Lady Kenmore dryer. Still working like a champ!

  2. 520
    r/BuyItForLife post

    Kenmore dryer that was manufactured by Whirlpool in 2005. It's still running strong after 20 years... I've never once had an issue with it.

  3. 69
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    That model was nice because it's easy to work on and parts are cheap & available

  4. 42
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    They made them to last for forever back in the old days, not like now!!

  5. 20
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    I had this same exact dryer and had to replace it last week

  6. 14
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    Im using the same model with the matching washing machine!

Show 21 more mentions
  1. 7
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    My Kenmore is 22 years old. I had to replace the belt a few years back, but that's it.

  2. 6
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    I finally had to replace the washer & dryer in 2023

  3. 6
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    My folks JUST retired their 1974 mustard yellow Lady Kenmore after 50 years of use. My dad replaced various parts quite a few times but the thing just kept on ticking.

  4. 6
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    These animals were a whole different beast compared to the dryers of today!

  5. 5
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    I'm at least the 3rd owner. I will cry when it finally dies for good.

  6. 5
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    I was lucky enough to inherit an old Kenmore the same way. It was made in 86!!!! And still running like a champ

  7. 4
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    Own the same! Only default is the dryer still spins if I open the door mid-cycle.

  8. 4
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    1980s Kenmore dryer... still kicking. 2-3 thermostat + fuse replacements on the dryer (til we learned to have our verrrry loooong dryer vent duct cleaned more frequently).

  9. 3
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    I bought a Kenmore washer and dryer from Sears back in 2003. I've moved several times, both have had one minor repair each, and both are still going strong.

  10. 3
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    Mine has a lint trap like that. Worst design I've ever seen.

  11. 3
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    I'm rocking the same dryer, though my start button has disintegrated, so now I just push the little metal stick

  12. 3
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    Same one! Got it with the house we bought. Haven't had any issues yet

  13. 3
  14. 3
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    I have that model, just a little older... I had to replace a belt 15 years ago.

  15. 3
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    I got an older one! Avocado green. Shits a tank. Came with the house. I refuse to replace it till it dies.

  16. 3
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    i suspect it has a faulty cycle thermostat, so got one for $12 and will be replacing it soon.

  17. 3
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    One of my petsitting clients has on in Harvest Gold! Works like a charm

  18. 3
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    I have a Kenmore dryer from 1980s. They never die.

  19. 1
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    All I want is for someone to produce Kenmore Super Duty washers and dryers exactly like I bought from Sears when I was in college.

  20. 1
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    We still use the old kenmore dryer, and once every few years it breaks so we go to youtube university, order a $3 part and spend 45 minutes getting it working again.

  21. 1
    r/BuyItForLife comment

    Kenmore gas dryer from the early 80's.

Tags

appliance dryer laundry repairable long-lasting vintage